Artificial Intelligence and Art

Patricia McAlernon

AI Ethicist

On a visit to the Townhall Art Centre in Cavan, I viewed Lisa Fingleton’s artwork called The Sandwich Project. It was a mind map of how a Bacon Lettuce Tomato (BLT) sandwich was produced and revealed the complicated supply chain involved in the process.

It got me to thinking. Artificial Intelligence (AI) software could have been used to create this mind map, however it would have entailed selecting image content from the Internet. The AI model would have been force fed data in the form of images to generate the mind map.

Lisa in contrast was not given pre-defined images by a computer but used her own imagination, freewill and passion to create the artwork by hand over a long period of time. In a matter of minutes, or even seconds, the AI programme would have generated a mind map depicting the various processes required in the creation of a BLT.

More than likely it would have included errors or what are known as “hallucinations”, which would have required running the software programme a second time.

Inherently, an artist will not make the same mistakes as the AI model since they have complete control over their own imagination and the pencil or paintbrush they are using.

AI models do not have emotions and, even when combined with robots, will not be jumping up and down with excitement or pride when a piece of artwork is produced. Passion is a human trait, which gets a job done even when we are tired. AI-driven robots do not have passion and will not get tired. However, they will inherently make errors, which they will eventually learn to correct themselves, just like humans. But no amount of time or technology can programme passion.

There are some artists who are using AI to generate their artwork and they have a right to do so but they are required to acknowledge their use of the technology. It is a new category of artwork, which is very different to that produced by artists who use pencil and paint, and appeals to a different audience. Some may call them ‘bad artists’ because they haven’t attended art college, but they need to be distinguished from ‘bad actors’ who are people who set out intentionally to use AI to cause harm to people and society.

Attending your local art gallery, going for a coffee to meet friends or a walk in the local park will prevent AI taking over your passion for living a fruitful life. The emergence of AI will mean less interaction with people in our daily lives both at work and at home. The time we spend with people will be more valuable and ideally should be AI-free.

In work life, if possible, use AI to complete mundane and routine tasks, which will give you more time to be creative and thereby more passionate about your job.

AI is not to be feared, embrace it and use it to enjoy more time with family and friends and allow yourself to be driven by passion.

In the future AI Agents will be used to book and organise your holiday. Allow this technology to remove the stress of booking flights, accommodation, restaurants and tours. Try to make your holiday activities AI-free when you get there. Enjoy the trips to the beach, bar and restaurants without your smartphone.

The AI agent may book a ticket for you and your family to go to the cinema, restaurant or art gallery but it’s your passion for watching movies, eating out and artwork that is ultimately the driving force.